Mining apparatus



Mayf28, 1940. l M. P. HoLMEs MINING APPARATUS Original Filed June 18, 1955 4 sheets-smet 1 Fly# M. P. HOLMES MIMNG APPARATUS May 28, 1940.

Original Filed June 18, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 mw uw mme w w QQ. ww nw/ ww 2 O A QW um ww w. mm SN@ May 28, 1940 M. P. HOLMES Y 2,202,584

MINING APPARATUS Or'gnal Filed June 18, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheetv 3 May 28, 1940. M P. HOLMES 2,202,584

` MINING APPARATUS y Original Filed June 1.8, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented May 28, 1940 UNITED- STATES MINING APPARATUS Morris?. Holmes, Claremont, N. H., assigner to ySullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application June 18, 1935, Serial No. 27,212 v Renewed September 15, 1939 33 Claims. This invention relates to mining apparatus,

and more particularly to improvements vin coalV mining apparatus of the combined cutting and loading type.

An yobject of this invention is to provide an improved coal mining apparatusvof the combined cutting and loading type having improved means for cutting and dislodging the coal from the face of a coal seam, and for loading the broken-down coal. Another object is to provide an improved cutting and loading apparatus having improved means for cutting and dislodging the coal and for loading the broken-down coal, the cutting means being supported and actuated in an im proved manner. A further object is to provide in an apparatus oi the above character improved cutting means for cutting simultaneously a series of superimposed parallel kerfs in a coal seam to form a series of relatively thin,v horizontal cores,

v which break down by their own weight and by` 2 the action of the cutters thereon. Yet another object is to provide in a novel manner at the opposite sides of a conveying means a pair of simultaneously-acting cutting devices swlngable horizontally toward the conveying means for cutting and breaking down the coal and for moving with a horizontal sweeping action the brokendown coal onto the conveying means. Aiurther object is to provide an improved core-cutting means for cutting simultaneously a series of parallel, relatively thin cores in a coal face whereby the cutting action of the cutting means on the c'oal eilects disruption of the cores from the coal seam. A still further object is to provide a pair of cutting and breaking-down devices 3 pivotally mounted at the opposite sides of a conveying means-and swingable horizontally toward the conveying means for cutting simultaneously a series of parallel, superimposed kerfs in the mine wall to form a series of relatively thin, par- 40 allel, horizontal cores between `the kerfs, for breaking down the cores by the action of the cutters thereon as the devices swing horizontally inwardly, and for moving with a horizontal sweeping action the broken-down coal onto the conveying means. Another object is to provide an improved adjustable supporting and guiding structure for the cutting devices whereby the latter may be adjusted into different elevated cutting positions, together with improved means for swingingthe cutting devices about their pivots and for feeding the cutting devicesl toward the coal face. These and other objects of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear. In the accompanying drawings thereis shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings: l

Fig. l is a plan View of the illustrative form of the improved mining and loading apparatus, parts being shown in horizontal section to illustrate vstructural details,

Fig. 2 is a rear end,` elevational View of the mining and loading apparatus shown in Fig. 1, a portion of the casing being brokenaway to illustrate portions of the parallel, superimposed core cutters,

Fig. 3 is a view in longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on line 3--3 of Fig. 1, with the core cutter device swung into its longitudinal 15 t position,

Fig. 4 is a view in longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. l,

Fig. 5 is ail-enlarged plan View showing-the swinging, guiding and elevating means for one of the core cutting devices, a portion of the mechanism being shown in horizontal section to illustrate details of construction,

Fig. 6 isla cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 6 6 of Fig. 5,

Fig. is a detail vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 'l-l of Fig. 5,

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the improved uid system` andV associated control means. 80

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention there is shown a coal mining apparatus of the combined cutting and loading type for cut.- ting and breaking down the coal from the face ci a coal seam and for loading the broken-down coal. The mining apparatus shown is of the oor type, adapted to rest upon and slide over the mine :door during its operation, although it will be evident that if desired the apparatus may be wheel-mountedand track-guided or crawlertread-mounted and guided,- and that various featuresv of the improved apparatus may be embodied in mining apparatus of Various other types. i

In this illustrative construction there is shown a heavy, massive base I, herein in the formof 45 a sliding bottom skid support of fabricated construction, herein preferably built up of sheet metal plates suitably secured together as by welding, thereby to form a sliding base frame unit having a smooth rbottom surface 2 adapted to rest upon and slide over the mine floor. Mounted centrally on the sliding base unit or bottom skid plate structure is an elevating and loading conveyor 3, while arranged on the sliding base at the opposite sides of the conveyor are core cutting and breaking-down devices, generally designated 4 and 5. The forward portion of the sliding base between the core cutting and breaking-down ydevices is formed with relatively inclined deflecting side plate portions 6 and 1 converging along a front, transversely extending, penetrating edge 3 for facilitating penetration of the broken-down coal as the apparatus is advanced toward the coal face, the inclined deecting plates 6 and 1 directing the broken coal toward the forward portion of the conveyor 3, and the latter gathering the broken coal and conveying it rearwardly over the top of the apparatus to a suitable point of disposal. The means for advancing the apparatus along the coal face as cutting and loading progresses, in this instance comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders IB, I0 arranged in parallel, longitudinally extending relation at opposite sides of the conveyor within the bottom portion of the sliding base struceure, each cylinder having a front head II secured to the bottom plate of the base frame and a rear head I2 secured to the vertical rear wall plate of the sliding base frame, and each of these cylinders containingA a piston I3 having a rearwardly projecting piston rod I4 extending through a packed opening in the rear cylinder head I2. As shown most clearly in Fig. 4, the rear ends of the feed piston rods I4, I4 are secured at I5 to a shoe I6 engageable with the mine floor and having pivotally mounted thereon at I1 an adjustable screw jack I8. The screw jack I8 is adjustable into engagement with the mine roof for securing the shoe I5 in a stationary position against the mine floor, thereby to provide reactance means for the feed pistons. When hydraulic pressure is supplied to the forward end of the feed cylinders I0, the sliding base frame and the devices supported thereby are moved bodily forwardly over the mine floor toward the working face of the coal seam. When hydraulic pressure is supplied to the rear ends of the feed cylinders and the jacks I8 are released, the shoes I6 may be slid forwardly over the mine floor toward the sliding base frame into a new feeding position. It will thus be possible by these successive operations to feed the apparatus forwardly in steps over the mine floor.

Now referring to the conveying means, it will be noted that mounted beneath the conveyor 3 within the sliding base frame is a hydraulic motor 20, having xed to its power shaft 2| a chain sprocket 22 connected by an endless chain 23 to a chain sprocket 24 fixed to a horizontal shaft 25 arranged transversely of and suitablyjournaled within the base frame. Fixed to the shaft 25 and driven thereby are usual chain sprockets engaging and driving the endless side chains 2E of the conveyor 3, these side chains being guided in suitable channels formed along the sides of a trough-like frame structure 21 supported on the base frame. Secured to certain chain blocks of the endless side chains are transverse scraper bars 28 adapted to move along a bottom plate 29 secured to the sides of the frame structure 21 and these scraper bars are adapted to engage the broken-down coal adjacent the forward penetrating edge of the sliding base and move the broken coal over the bottom conveyor plate 29 to discharge at the rear end of the trough-like frame 21. It will thus be seen that as the apparatus is advanced toward the coal face as cutting progresses, the broken-down coal is penetrated by the penetrating edge 8 of the sliding base and directed inwardly by the deflecting plate portions 6 and 1 onto the conveyor, whereby the broken coal is moved rearwardly over the top of the sliding base to a suitable point of disposal.

The improved core cutting and breaking-down devices 4 and 5 lare herein of substantially identical construction, and therefore a detailed ldescription of one unit will suffice for both. Re-

ferring more particularly to the core cutting and breaking-down unit 4, it will be noted that supported by vertical side plates 32 and 33, secured to the bottom plate of the sliding base and forming portions of the latter and secured to the in- .ner sides of these vertical plates, are parallel,

Vertical guide members 34, 34, each having a vertical guideway 35 in which is slidably guided for vertical movement a guide kmember 35, this mem ber in turn having a vertical guideway 31 in which is slidably guided a vertical guide 38 formed integral with a vertically adjustable frame 39 of the core cutting and'breaking-down device. It will thus be seen that the guide inembers 35 and 36 have telescopic relation with respect to the guide members 34, thereby to provide a vertical double telescopic guiding means for the vertically adjustable frame 39. Movement of the guide members 35 with' respect to the guide members 34 is limited by stop pins 40 projecting within'vertical slots 4I formed in the members 36, and vertical movement of the guides 38 with respect to the guide members 36 is limited by similar stop pins 42 projecting `within vertical slots 43 formed in the members 38. Secured to the forward portion of the vertically adjustable frame 39 are rigid arm-like bar hanger supports 44 and 45, these supports projecting lustrative construction, rigidly secured to horizontal parallel portions of the hanger fra-mes 48, 49, and 5I, as by bolts 52, is a series of parallel, superimposed, elongated plane cutter bars 53, herein preferably five in number, arranged in closely spaced relation, and guided about'the margin of each of these plane cutter bars is an endless cutter chain 44. AThe mechanism for driving the cutter chains to circulate the same rapidly about the margins of their respective cutter bars comprises a motor supported within the vertically adjustable frame 39 and having its power shaft 56 horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the apparatus. Connectible by a sliding clutch 51 to the forward end of the motor power shaft is an alined shaft 58, and keyed to the forward end of the shaft 58 is a-bevel gear 59 having its hub journaled within a bearing supported within Vthe frame 39. The bevel gear 59 meshes with a bevel gear 60 keyed to the lower end of a verticalfshaft 6I, likewise suitably journaled within the frame 39. Keyed to and driven by the shaft 5I is a double chain sprocket 62 connected through endless drive chains 63 and 84 to sprockets 65 and 56, respectively, keyed to al vertical shaft 51 alined with the pivotal axes of the bar hanger frames. keyed to the shaft 91` and driventherebyare chain sprockets 58 engaging anddriving the se- 7,5

Also y ries of endless cutter chains 54. The cylindrical naled the drive sprockets 65 and EB and the centrally located .chain drive sprocket 68. The upper bar hanger 48 supports a bearing .in which the hub of the upper chain sprocket 68 is journaled. .It will thus be seen that the cylindrical bearing 'portions 4B of the supporting frames and the bearing portions 4T of the hanger 'frames provideta swivel mounting about which the series of superimposed cutter bars 53 may be simultaneously swung, the cutter bars being swingY able about an axis coincident with the axis ofthe vertical shaft 6.1. From the foregoing it will be evident that when the clutch :l is connected, the series of cutter chains 54 may be simultaneously driven irrespective of the angular position of the cutter bars about their pivotal mountings, through the bevel gearing 59, 5|), vertical, shaft chain and sprocket connections 62, `|53, B4, the sprockets 5 and 66, vertical shaft 61., and the chain sprockets engaging the endless cutter chains.

Now referring to the mechanism for simultaneously swinging the series of cutter bars about their pivotal mountings, it will be noted that supported by the frame 39 is a pair of singleacting hydraulic cylinders l5, arranged in longitudinal parallel relation atthe opposite sides of the frame L39. a bracket-like front head 'l Xed to the frame 39, and a rear head .and each contains a reciprocatory piston |18 having va rearwardly pro'- `iecting piston rod T8, these piston rods ,extending rearwardly through packed openings in thc rear cylinder heads 17|. Supported on the rear ends of the -feed piston rods .are brackets Sil, on each of which is journaled a sheave iii. A cable 82 is fixed .at its ends at 83 to the front feed cylinder heads 'i6 and passes around the sheaves 8|, the vcable having its intermediate portion mounted and guided Ain a cross opening 84 formed in the upper bar hanger 48 and secured midway between its ends to the hanger. A pair of horiaontal .sheaves 85 are mounted on brackets secured to the frame. 39 .for guiding the portions of the cable between its point of connection with l the hanger 58 and the .sheaves 8| carried by the feed piston rods. 1t will be evident that when hydraulic pressure is supplied to the forward end of one of the cylinders .15, the feed piston may :be moved rearwardly to deiiect its cooperating portion of the cable 8.2, thereby to swing simultaneously the series of cutter bars horizontally in one direction about their pivots with respect to the frame 39. By supplying hydraulic pressure to the forward end of the other cylinder the cutter bars may, of course, be swung si.- multaneously in the opposite direction about their pivots.

The improved means for vertically adjusting the frame 39, together with the cutter bars sup-- ported thereby, vertically along its guideways with respect to the sliding base frame comprises three hydraulic jacks 8l of the single-acting double telescopic type, two at the forward end of the frame 3?; and one at the rearward end thereof, l

as shown in Fig, 5. Each of ,these jacks coinprises an outer cylinder 88 containing a verticallyreciprocable piston 89 having .an .upstanding tubular piston rod 90 providing asecond cyl- Each of these cylinders has inder 3|. vertically reciprocable in theA inner cylinder 9| is a piston 92 having an upwardly projecting piston rod 83 secured at 94 at its upper extremity to a hanger frame Q5 secured to the `frame 39. The cylinder 8'! is provided with a packed upper head 96, while the inner cylin- .der Sil is provided with a similar packed upper head Sl', and the piston rods extend through packed openings in these heads, respectively. When hydraulic pressure is supplied to the lower ends of the outer cylinders 825, the pistons d* and 52 are moved upwardly within their respective cylinders to move the frame Sil, together with the cutter bars supported thereby, into different elevated positions with respect to the sliding base. By trapping the liquid in the lower ends of cylinders the cutter bars may be locked in 'the desired elevated position.

The means for supplying hydraulic pressure to.

the various hydraulic devices comprises a motor |00 arranged within the bottom portion of the sliding base, and having its power shaft till horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the apparatus, the motor It() being preferably arrangedbeneath the conveyor 3 in the manner shown in Fig. 4. Keyed to the forward end of the motor power shaft is a spur gear m2 meshing with a'spur gear |03 fixed to the drive shaft |04 of a hydraulic pump |85. As illustrated, the pump |05 is arranged in a chamber |235 adapted to contain a supply of liquid, thereby to forni a liquid reservoir. As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 8, the pump m5 has its intake connected with the liquid reservoir, and the discharge side of this pump isconnected through conduits litt and mi land a bypass valve mechanism Hi8 of any suitable design, to a supply conduit HB9 connected to a transverse supply passage l l0 formed in a valve box and communicating with the lower ends oi a series of vertical valve bores H2, H3, llll and H5. Communicating with the 'upper ends of these valve bores is a transverse conduit-s IM and a conduit to the valve bore The forward ends of the horizontal 'oar r swing cylinders '|5 are connected to the valve bore H3 through conduits |26 and |27. The conveyor driving motor 2|? vis connected through a conduit |28 to the valve bore H2 and through a conduit |29 with the discharge conduit lll. When the valve H8, which controls the supply of hydraulic pressure to the conveyor driving motor 2li, is in the position shown in Fig. 8, hydraulic pressure may ow from the pump through supply conduit IM, supply passage Il a passage on the valve H3, and conduit |28, to

vthe supply chamber of the motor, the motor eX- haust being connected through the conduit iZ to the discharge conduit ll'.

When the valve IIS, which controls the supply of hydraulic pressure to `the horizontal swing cylinders for the cutter bars, is in the position shown in Fig. 8,

hydraulic pressure may flow through the supply f conduit |99, supply passage l lil, a passage on the valve H9, and conduit |26, to the two inner cylinders l5, while the two outer cylinders are connected through conduit I2'I, a passage on the valve IIS, discharge passage IIS, and discharge conduit III, to the reservoir. When the valve EZB, which controls the supply of hydraulic pressure to the feeding cylinders I0, is in the position shown in Fig. 8, hydraulic pressure may iiow through supply conduit |09, supply passage II, a passage on the valve |20, and conduit |22, to the rear ends of the feed cylinders, while the forward ends of the feed cylinders are connected through conduit |23, a passage on the valve I2Il, discharge passage IIB, and discharge conduit i Il, to the reservoir. When the valve I2 I, which controls the supp-ly of hydraulic pressure to the lifting uiack cylinders, is in the position shown in Fig. 8, hydraulic pressure may flow through supply conduit |39, supply passage I Ill, a passage on the valve |2|, and conduits |25 and |26. When the valve IIB is rotated into its closed position, the supply of liquid pressure to the conduit |28 is out off, thereby interrupting the motor drive. When the valve I i9 is turned into its reverse pcsition, the conduit |21 is connected to the supply passage IIii, while the conduit IZ is connected to the discharge passage H5. When the position of the valve |253 is reversed, the conduit |23 is connected to the supply passage H0, while the conduit |22 is connected to the exhaust passage Il. When the position of the valve I2! is reversed, the supply of hydraulic pressure from the supply passage II to the conduit |25 is cut off, and the conduit 25 is connected to the exhaust passage II. It will be evident that the valves H9, |20 and |2I may be turned into their closed position to trap the liquid in the cylinders respectively controlled thereby. If desired, the conduits leading to the cutter swing and elevating cylinders may be provided with individual valves so that the cutters may be independently swung and elevated.

Secured as shown in Fig. 1 to the forward portion of the sliding base frame at the opposite sides of the latter are vertical, laterally projecting, deiiecting plates |39 for retaining the cuttings and broken-down coal in advance of the sliding base as the apparatus is advanced toward the coal face, These plates are braced, respectively, on the outer vertical walls of the sliding base by diagonal brace members |31. If desired, th-ese deector plates, instead o-f being rigidly secured to the sliding base frame, may be bolted to the hanger frames for the cutter bars so that as the cutter bars swing about their pivots the deflector plates move therewith to sweep the broken-down coal toward the conveyor. It will further be evident that, instead ofsecuring the deflector plates |36 rigidly to the sliding base frame, the outwardly projecting lateral portions thereof may be pivotally mounted on the sides of the base frame to swing horizontally inwardly with respect thereto, thereby to enable these deector plates to be swung or folded inwardly against the sides of the sliding base when in their inoperative position, and the diagonal brace members I3i may of course be made detachable.

The mode of operation of the improved cutting and loading apparatus is as follows: The apparatus is fed bodily over the mine iioor toward the coal face by the hydraulic cylinders I0, and these hydraulic cylinders may be employed during maneuvering of the vapparatus from one working place to another in an obvious manner. When the apparatus is located adjacent the working face of a coal seam, as shown in Fig. 1,

the core cutting and breaking-down bars are swung to their outermost position with the bars projecting at substantially right angles from the sides of the sliding base frame, as shown in Fig.l

l, Hydraulic pressure may then be supplied to the feed cylinders to feed the sliding' base frame forwardly toward the working face to sump the cutting portions of the cutter bars within the coal. When the sumping cut is completed, hydraulic pressure may be lsupplied to the bar swing cylinders to swing the bars simultaneously horizontally about their pivots through substantially from the full line position shown in Fig'. 1 to the dotted line position shown in that gure. The sliding base frame may, if necessary, during this horizontal swinging operation, be jacked down by any suitable means, not shown, such as jack-pipes or mechanical or hydraulic jacks. As`

the cutter chains act to move wtih a horizontal sweeping action the broken-down coal onto the conveyor by which the coal is conveyed rearwardly of the apparatus to a suitable point of dis'- posal, such as on a face conveyor or in a minel car. The core cutting and breaking-down devices cut out completely the coal seam to provide an opening sufficiently large so that as cutting progresses, the apparatus moves within the open-j ing created by the cutting devices. -When it is desired to vary the elevation of the corecutting and breaking-down bars, with respect to the mine floor, hydraulic pressure may be supplied to the elevating jacks to move the bars from their lowermost position to their elevated position.

As a result of this invention, it will be noted that an improved cutting and loading apparatus is provided having improved means for cutting and breaking down the coal in a coal seam and for loading the broken-down coal. It Will further be noted that an improved core cutting and breaking-down means is provided for cutting simultaneously a series of superimposed horizontal kerfs in the coal to form a series of relatively thin parallel, horizontal cores between the kerfs, the action of the cutters on the coal disrupting the cores, causing the latter to break down as cutting progresses. It will further be evident that by mounting the cutting and breaking-down means to swing horizontally about parallel, vertical aXes at opposite sides ofthe conveyor, the coal is out and broken down and the broken-down coal is moved with a horizontal sweeping action onto the conveyor in an improved manner. Further, by the provision of vertical adjusting means for the core-cutting and breaking-down devices, it is possible to cut out `completely coal seams of varying height. Other uses and advantages of the improved mining apparatus will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have in this application specifically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form 'of the same is shown for purposes of i1- lustration, and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms wthout departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

Whati claim as new and' desire to secure. by Letters Patent is:

LIn a cutting and loading. apparatus, a. portable'base, a conveyorr mounted centrally on: said Lill base, vertical guideways on saidi'base at the opposite sides of said conveyor, core cutting meansI mounted, in saidl guideways at the opposite sides of: said conveyor for cutting simultaneously a series ofsuperimposedparallel kerfs in the coal of a coal seam: to 'fornia series of superimposed parallel cores between the kerfs, and. meansfor bodily adjusting said core cutting means vertically Aalong said guidewaysf. f

2. In a cutting and loading apparatus, a portable base, a conveyor mounted `centrally on said base,` vertical guideways on said base at the op,-l

posite sides of saidconveyorcore cutting means mounted in said guideways at the opposite sides of 'said conveyor for kcutting simultaneously a series of superimposed parallel kerfs in the coalA .of a coal seam to form a series of. superimposed.v

parallel cores between. the kerfs and for breaking` down the cores, and means for bodily adjustconveyor, and means'for bodily adjusting said.v

corel cutting means vertically along said. guideways. y n

4. In a cutting and loading appar'atus,fa portable'y base, conveying means on said base; and a pair of core' cutting and. breaking down means" mounted on saidfbase at the 4opposite-sides of said conveying means to swing horizontally relative thereto and embodying means for forming simultaneously a seriesl of superimposed, relatively thin', horizontal cores in a c oal seam, the cutting action of said cutting means on they coal of itself breaking down saidrelatively thinl coresl as said cutting means is swung horizontally.`

5,. In-a cuttingand loading apparatus, a portable base, conveying means on` said base, and core cutting and, breaking down. meansmounted onsaid base at one side of said conveying means to swing horizontally relative thereto and em'- bodying means for cutting simultaneously a seriesfof. superimposed horizontalkerfs in a coal seam to form a series of superimposed horizontal cores', between the kerfs, and means for swinging each of said cutting means from a right angle position at the side of said base through 180 to a right angle position in advance of said conveying means` 6-. In a cutting and loading apparatus', a port'- able base, conveying means mounted centrally on said base, a pair of core cutting means mounted.

on said base at the opposite sides of said conveymeans to swing horizontally relative thereto and embodying means for cutting simultaneously' a series of superimposed horizontal kerfs in a coal seam to formv a series of superimposed horizontalcores between the kerfs,` and means for swinging.- each of said core cutting means from a right angle position at one side of said basethroughy 180i .to `a position. ywherein saicllcore cutting means is disposed in an opposite right angle posi-tion. in advance of said conveying means. f v

.7. In a cutting. and loading apparatus, a portable base, conveying means mounted centrally on said basse, hydraulic cylinders mounted on said base ait-the opposite sides of said conveying means for: feeding said base toward the coal face,.verticai guideways on said base at the opposite' sides of said conveying means, kerf. cutting means mounted on said guidew'ays for" vertical adjustment relativev to saidy base, hydraulic cylinders for vertically adjusting said kerf cutting means aiong saidV guideways, said kerf cutting means each comprising' a korf cutter swingable horizontally about a vertical axis,l and. hydraulic cylinde icr swinging said keri'. cutters about their respective pivotal axes. f

8. In a cutting and. loading apparatus, a portable baser conveying means mountedcentrally on said base, cutting means on said base` at'. the opposite sides of said conveying means each including a kerf cutter swingable` horizontally about a vertical located on said base in advance ovf'said conveying means, said korf cutters being swingab'le from right angle positions at the outer sides of' the base` each .through 130 to an opposite right angie position in advance of said conveying means, and means vfor swinging said kerf cutters about their respective lpivotal axes.'

9'.. In a cutting and loading apparatus, a port-v in advance oi said conveying means, said cutting and dis-lodging means moving the' dislodged coal with a sweeping action onto' said conveying' means.v v l l0.- In a cutting and loading apparatus, ya portable base', conveying means thereon, corecutting and dislodging means mounted-to swing horizontally in an. arcuateA path about a vertical axis located onY said base` in advance of. said conveying means for cutting simultaneously a series of superimposed parallel horizontal keris in the coal of coalr seam. to: form. a series of superimposed horizontal cores. between the kerfs and for dislodging the cores as cutting progresses, and meansv for swinging .said core cutting and dislodging means about its pivot throughl an angle of substantially able base, vconveying means on said baserand a pair of cutting and breaking down means mounted on the base at' the opposite sides of said conveying means to'swing horizontally relative thereto and enlbo'dyingr means for forming simulta able base, conveying means on said base, and a pair of core cutting and breaking down means moun-tedfon the' base at the opposite sides of said conveying means to swing horizontally relative thereto and embodying means for forming simultaneously a series of superimposed horizontal cores in a coal seam, and means for swinging said cutting and breaking down means about their pivots through an angle lof substantially 180 from positions wherein the core cutting and t breaking down means extend at right angles from the sides of said base toopposite right angle poy sitions in advance of said conveying means.

13. In a cutting and loading apparatus, a portable base, conveying means on said base, a pair of core cutting and breaking down means mounted on the base at the opposite sides of said conveying means to swing horizontally relative there` to and embodying means for forming simultal neously a series of superimposed horizontal cores in a coal seam, means for swinging said cutting and breaking down means about their pivots each through an angle of substantially 180, and means for adjusting said core cutting and breaking down means vertically relative to said base.

14. In a cutting and loading apparatus, a portable base, conveying means on said base, .a pair of cutting and breaking down means mounted on the base at the opposite sides of said conveying means to swing horizontally relative thereto and embodying means for forming simultaneously a series of superimposed horizontal cores in a coal seam, means for swinging said cutting and breaking down means about their` respective pivots, each through an angle of substantially 180, from positions wherein the core cutting and breaking down means lextend at right angles from the sides of said base to opposite right angle positions in advance of said conveying means, and means for adjusting said core cutting and breaking down means vertically relative to said base.

15. In a cutting and loading apparatus, core cutting means for forming an opening in a coal seam of such size as to provide clearance for the apparatus as the latter is advanced toward the coal face and embodying a pair of cooperating relatively movable core cutting devices each for cutting simultaneously a series of superimposed, relatively closely spaced, parallel kerfs in the coal to form a series of superimposed, relatively thin, parallel cores between the kerfs, the cutting action of the cutting devices on the coal of itself breaking down the relatively thin cores as cutting progresses.

16. In a cutting and loading apparatus, a portable base, a conveyor mounted on said base, vertical guideways on said base, core cutting means mounted in said guideways and including a series of superimposed horizontal endless chain kerf cutters for cutting simultaneously a series of superimposed parallel kerfsin the coal of a coal seam to form a series of superimposed parallel cores between the kerfs, and meansl for bodily adjusting said core cutting means vertically along said guideways.

17. In a cutting and loading apparatus, a portable base, a conveyor mounted on said base, vertical guideways on said base, core cutting means mounted for bodily vertical adjustmentalong said guideways and also pivotally mounted for horizontal swinging movement relative to said guideways for cutting simultaneously a series of superimposed parallel kerfsin the coal of a coal seam to form a series of superimposed parallel cores between thekerfs, for breaking down the cores and for moving the broken clown coal with a horizontal sweeping action onto said conveyor,

and means for bodily adjusting said core voutting means vertically along said guideways.

18s In a cutting and loading apparatus, a portable base, a conveyor mounted centrally onsaid l means mounted in said guideways at the opposite sides of said conveyor for cutting simultaneously kerfs in the coal of a coal seam to form cores and n for breakingdown the cores, and means for bodily adjusting said core cutting means vertically along said guideways.

20. `In acutting and loading apparatus, a porte able base, a conveyor mounted centrally on said base, vertical guideways on said base at theI opposite sides of said conveyor, core cutting means mounted in said guideways at the opposite sides y of said conveyor for cutting simultaneously kerfs in the coal `of a coal seam to form cores,` for breaking down the cores and'for moving the broken 'down coal with a horizontal sweeping ac-v tion onto said conveyor, and means for bodily adjusting said cor'e cutting means vertically along said guideways. K

21. In a cutting and loading apparatus, a port--r able base, conveying means mounted centrally cn said'base, a pair of core cutting means mounted on said base at the opposite sides of said conveying means to swing horizontally relative thereto and each embodying means for cutting simultaneously kerfs in a coal sam'to form cores, and means for swinging eachr of said core cut` ting means from a right angle position at its respective side of saidvv base through 180 to a positionv wherein said .core cutting means is dis-v posed in an opposite right angleposition in adkerf cutting means mounted at the opposite sides of said conveying meansfor adjustment in a vertical direction relative to the base, hydraulic cylinders, individual to the kerf cutting means at the opposite sidesof the conveying means, for elevating said kerf cutting means, said kerf cutting means each comprising'a kerf cutter swing-`v able horizontally about a vertical axis and hydraulic cylinders for swinging said kerf cutters about their respective pivots.

23. In a cutting and loading apparatus, a port` able base, conveying means on said base and a pair of cutting and breaking down means mounted onv the base at the. opposite sides of said conveying means to swing horizontally relative thereto and embodying means for forming horizontal cores in a coal seam, and means for swinging said cutting and breaking down means about their pivotseach through an angle of substantially* 18.0.

24. In a cutting and loading apparatus, a port-l able base, conveying means on said base and ,a

pair of ,cutting andbreaking down means mounted on the base at the opposite sides of said conveyling means to swing horizontally relative thereto and embodying means vfor, forming horizontal cores in a coal seam, and means for swinging said cutting and breaking down lmeans about their pivots each through an angle of substantially 180 from positions wherein the cutting and breaking down means extend at right angles vfrom the sides of said base to opposite right angle positions in advance of said conveying means. 25. In a cutting and loading apparatus, a portable base, conveying means on said base, a pair of core cutting and breaking down means mounted on said base at the opposite sides of said conveying means to swing horizontally relative thereto and embodying means for forming horizontal cores in a coal seam, means for swinging said core' cutting and breaking down means about their pivots each through an angle of substantially 180", and means for adjusting said core cutting and breaking down means vertically relative to said base. 26. In a cutting and loading apparatus, a portable base, conveying means on said base, a pair of cutting and breaking down means mounted on the base at the opposite sides of said conveying means to swing horizontally relative thereto and embodying means for forming horizontal cores in the coal seam, means for swinging said cutting and ybreaking down means about their pivots, each "through an angle of substantially 180, from positions wherein the cutting and breaking down means extend kat right angles from the sides of vsaid base toy opposite right angle positions in advance of said conveying means, and means for adjusting said core'cutting and breaking down means vertically relative to said base.

27. In a cutting and loading apparatus, a portable base, core cutting means on said base for forming an opening in a coal seam of such size as to provide clearance for said base as the apparatus is advanced toward the coal face and embodying a pair of cooperating endless chain cutting mechanisms each operative to cut simultaneously a series of superimposed, relatively closely spaced, parallel kerfs in thevcoal to form a series of superimposed, relatively thin, parallel cores between the kerfs, the cutting action of the cutting means on the coal of itself breaking down the relatively thin cores as cutting progresses.

28. In a cutting and loading apparatus, a portable base, conveying means on said base, and core cutting means on said'base for forming an opening in a coal seam of such size as to provide clearance for said basev as the apparatus is advanced toward the coal face and embodying pairs of endless chain cutting mechanisms pivotally mounted on said base at the opposite sides of said conveying means, each operative to cut simultaneously a series of superimposed, relatively closely spaced, parallel kerfs in the coal to form a series of superimposed, relatively thin, parallel cores between` the kerfs, the cutting action of the cutting means on the coal of itself breaking down` the relatively thin cores as cutting progresses, and said cutting mechanisms moving the broken down coal with a horizontal sweeping action onto said conveying means.

29. In a cutting and loading apparatus, a portable base, conveying means on said base, coal cutting and disintegrating Vmeans mounted on said vbase at one side of said conveying means to swing horizontally relative thereto for cutting and breaking down the coal of a coal seam and for moving the broken downcoal onto said conveying means, and means for swinging said cutting and disintegrating means from a right angle position at the side of said base `through 180 to a right angle position in advance of said conveying means.

30. In a cutting and loading apparatus, coal cutting and disintegrating means for forming an opening in a coal seam of such size as to provide clearance for the apparatus as the latter is advanced toward the coal face and embodying a pair of cooperating relatively movable coal cutting and disintegrating devices, each for cutting simultaneously aseries of superimposed, relatively closely spaced, parallel kerfs in the coal and for breaking down, solely by the cutting action of 'such devices, fragments of the relatively thin sections of the coal between the kerfs as cutting progresses.

' 31. In a cutting and loading apparatus, a portable base, `a conveyor mounted centrally on said base, vertical guideways on said base at the opposite sides of said conveyor, coal cutting and d isintegrating means mounted in said guideways aty the opposite sides of said conveyor for cutting and breaking down the coal of a coal seam, and means for bodily adjusting said coal-cutting and disintegrating means vvertically along said guideways.

32. In a cutting and loading apparatus, a portable base, a conveyor mounted centrally on said base, vertical guideways on said base at the opposite sides of said conveyor, coal cutting and disintegrating means pivotally mounted in said guideways at the opposite sides of said conveyor and swingable horizontally relative thereto for cutting and breaking down the coal of a coal seam and for moving the broken down coal with a horizontal sweeping action onto said conveyor, and means for bodily adjusting said cutting and disintegrating means vertically along said guideways.

33. In a cutting and loading apparatus, a portable base, conveying means on said base, and a pair of coal cutting and disintegrating means mounted on said base at the opposite' sides of said conveying means to swing horizontally relative thereto and embodying means for cutting and breaking down the coal in the coal seam, and means for swinging said cutting and disintegrating means about their pivots each through an angle of substantially 180.

MORRIS P. HOLMES. 

